It’s a Mind Thing!

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“Be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”

Have you ever heard the saying “You are as old as you think”? Well guess what — that’s absolutely true. Many times as we age we have a tendency to check out with current events, music, and many other aspects of life.  We tend to get into a routine that often excludes anything new and fresh. I want to encourage you to renew your mind by getting out of your comfort zone. Our youth need us! When was the last time you tried to connect and impact the younger generation? When was the last time you listened to a new song produced by the younger generation?

I was visiting with my daughter in San Antonio, Texas and she was listening to a song titled “This Is Why I Love You.”  The song was unfamiliar to me, but it was beautiful!  As I listened, I began to think, Pat when was the last time you listened to music from your daughter’s or younger generations? That song prompted conversation between us about life, love and the pursuit of happiness. This allowed great exchange between us.

Now I know that sounds really simple, but music is one way we can connect with the younger generations.  We can use music as a spring board to begin conversations that will allow us teaching opportunities and also allow the exchange of ideas and information between both sets of people.  

 If we begin to communicate with each other from a non-confrontational place, both the young and the not-as-young will begin to step out of their comfort zone and establish lasting relationships. This will be a beautiful thing!

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Be Yourself

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It was about 8:05 am or so one summer morning in the early 1960s.  Our radio was tuned to the local radio station; the radio personality was Dr. Erskine Faush with the very popular radio show that began with James Cleveland’s song “The Love of God.”

My great-grandmother was sitting on the front porch and I in the living room.  The song “Never Grow Old” by Aretha Franklin came blaring on our Grundic Majestic Hi-Fi Radio combination.  

Aretha was about nine years old when this song was recorded. As I listened, something rose up in me and I wanted to sing along with her. Intently, I listened to the various nuances and tone of her voice.

I began to sing or, shall I say, imitate her. I must say I did a great job! Head thrown back in the locks of my shoulders, I belted out that song with excellence, sounding just like Aretha!

After my rendition of that song, my great-grandmother called me to the front porch.  She said, “Pat I heard you singing and you sounded great!” I beamed with pride! “However,” she continued, “you were imitating a great singer and it was a powerful song. But you did not use your voice, the one God gave you! You have a great voice, use it. Sing like yourself be proud of what God gave you. Remember to always do your best.”

It is great to admire others and even learn from them. Always remember, be yourself.

What my great-mother was saying to me was that I was fearfully and wonderfully made. She wanted me to set my own trend. She wanted me to do me! She encouraged me to be what God called me to be and use that to bring him glory just as Aretha was doing. 

She said, “If you just do that all will be well with you.”

So from me to you, BE YOURSELF!

Keeping an Open Hand

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One summer day I was sitting on the front porch with my favorite aunt and she asked me to open my hand. I thought, “What in the world this is about?” But my love and respect for her prompted me to comply with her request. She reached into her apron pocket and pulled out a bright new quarter. Then she asked, “Pat, what is this?” In my mind I am thinking “Really?” In my time of growing up children were not allowed to “sass” adults and especially not family members! I said very slowly and carefully so as not to sound disrespectful, “A quarter.” She replied, “Yes!”

She put the quarter inside of my hand, with these instructions: “Close your hand tightly and no matter how hard I try, don’t let me get that piece of money out of your hand!”

The games began. She tried. I resisted. This tug of war went on for a while. Finally she said “Open your hand.” Whew! This had gotten quite tiring, I said to myself. I opened my hand and guess what she did?

Aunt Rena took her quarter back!

Now she asked me to open my hand and keep it opened. By now I am thinking “What?” Again, I played along. She put the quarter in and out of my open hand several times. Then she repeated the open and close spiel again! By now, I am really sick of this dumb game! But because Aunt Rena was my favorite aunt, I smiled and continued to play along.

This time after taking the quarter, she asked me to close my hand and when I did she tried to put the quarter into my closed hand, but because my hand was closed she could not get that quarter into my hand! Then she said something simple yet profound. “The key to having more than you need and something to give away is keeping an open hand!” Aunt Rena said when you keep your hands open, something can come in and something can go out.

I really thought that that was a silly game. In retrospect I realize that the concept of sowing and reaping, seed time and harvest was taught to me as a child in a very simple, but yet profound way! This concept has become an intricate part of my life.

Luke 6:38 reads: “Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.”

Travel with me as we explore life lessons.

Finished?

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In 2009 I retired from a governmental agency with 34 years of service. My co-workers gave me a beautiful send off. The Head Official of my district attended my retirement celebration.  As I welcomed my guests, the government official wished me well and in conversation he asked me a question that is forever etched in my mind: “What are you going to do now”? I flippantly replied, NOTHING!!!!! He smiled and replied, “You seem to be a woman of faith. Did you know that retirement is not in the bible?” I pondered on his comment and the search engine of my mind began to scan the bible for the appropriate reply!

But I could not find one scripture to rebut the golden nugget that he shared with me. So I graciously agreed with him! He smiled and never spoke another word on that subject. However the seed had been planted.

I did not immediately take action on what had been planted. Mark 4: 26-29 summarizes what happed to me: “This is what the kingdom of God is like. A man scatters seed on the ground. Night and day, whether he sleeps or gets up, the seed sprouts and grows, though he does not know how. All by itself the soil produces grain—first the stalk, then the head, then the full kernel in the head. As soon as the grain is ripe, he puts the sickle to it, because the harvest has come.” The seed was planted in the soil of my mind. This seed germinated for about two years.

One day I had an epiphany! I said to myself “The greatest nation in the world, the United States of America, is literally run by people generally between 55-90 years old!” I realized that I had bought into a false concept! You know the one — work thirty years, get your gold watch and go home and die!

So I shifted, I started a new career, wrote two books — one a bestseller. I am currently working on my third book.

If you are reading this blog and you are thinking about throwing in the towel, “DON’T” You have only just begun! Shift! The best is yet to come!